Editorial: Poor wheat crop comes at tough time

Jarred OpatzPublished: August 2, 2006 12:00AM

With fuel and fertilizer prices continuing to rise, the last thing area farmers need is a disappointing crop.
But thats what they got recently.
Most years, the local wheat crop is harvested in early or mid-July. But this year rain pushed most of it back to the end of the month. And for several of the few farmers who managed to harvest their wheat in early July, their crop, though not as bad as the later harvested wheat, was a little below average largely because of late frost in May.
Ashland saw almost 7 inches of rain in July, and southern Ashland County saw more than that with flood conditions July 10.
More so than most other crops, the window for harvesting wheat is short.
When ripe wheat stays in fields too long, as much of it did this year in the area, a process called sprouting takes place where new shoots of wheat grow in the seed head, and the quality of the crop drops often significantly. That meant damaged wheat with low test weight, and a drop in price for farmers crops.
For a number of area farmers, it was a significant drop of about $1.50 per bushel. Instead of the $3 or so a bushel, many farmers received $1.50 a bushel because their wheat wasnt up to milling standards for flour, and it had to be used as animal feed. Even several farmers who still had wheat good enough for the mills were docked about 40 or 50 cents, and sometimes more, for damaged wheat at area farmers co-ops and elevators where they brought their crop.
In an attempt to receive a better price some local farmers have traveled 30 miles or more, adding another expense to their already high fuel and fertilizer expenses this year.
Wheat is a significant crop for Ashland County farmers. According to Ohio Department of Agriculture statistics, the county harvests about 10,000 acres each year. Only about 30 or so of Ohios 88 counties harvest more wheat. The county ranks higher in wheat production in the state than its production of two other major crops in the area soybeans and corn for grain. Area farmers plant wheat in the fall after the corn and soybean harvests.
About every 10 years, the area seems to have a year like this when rain leads to a lot of sprouting among wheat. But this year hit particularly hard with the fuel and fertilizer prices, which have increased significantly the past few years.
One saving grace is the local corn and soybean crops look good so far, especially corn. All the summer rain has come at a good time pollination time for the two crops.
Unless the area sees extreme August weather, such as drought conditions, the corn and soybean harvests should be happier times for local farmers this fall than Julys wheat harvest was. And if history holds true, they shouldnt see another wheat harvest like this years for about another decade.